Timing of intubation for in hospital cardiac arrest ?

Traditional wisdom taught us to secure airway as soon as possible in case of cardiac arrest(at least in hospital arrest), though over the course of years, American hearth association have moved their focus from “ABC” (airway-breathing-circulation) to “CAB” (circulation-airway-breathing). AHA also suggested that if a trained individual is not present to secure airway, bag mask ventilation was alternative. 2015 guidelines suggest either approach (bag mask or intubation) is acceptable.

Observational cohort study of adult patients who had an in-hospital cardiac arrest from January 2000 through December 2014 included in the Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation registry. Looking at the timing of tracheal intubation and outcome.

FINDINGS

Total of 108 079 adult patients at 668 hospitals were studied.

71 615 patients (66.3%) who were intubated within the first 15 minutes were matched to 43 314 patients (60.5%) not intubated within first 15 minutes.